WO2016084016A1

WO2016084016A1 - Bag structure

Info

Publication number: WO2016084016A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/059122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elena FURIAN
Original assignee: Full Spot SpA
Current assignee: Full Spot SpA
Priority date: 2014-11-27
Filing date: 2015-11-25
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-27
Also published as: ITCO20140015U1

Abstract

A bag (1) advantageously allows use thereof either a a handbag with handles or as a backpack with shoulder straps 10.

Description

"Bag structure"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a dual-use bag structure as defined in the preamble of claim 1, particularly a women's handbag.

Reference will be made herein by way of example and without limitation to a women's handbag with handles, i.e. a common bag as used every day by women.

Currently, such bags are widely used, not only because these bags are women's fashion accessories, but also and especially due to the need of storing objects such as wallets, keys, documents and others therein.

Generally, these bags are equipped with handles for holding them. In most cases, bag handles are long enough to allow use thereof as shoulder-length straps, allowing hand-free support of the bag, to make other actions, such as speaking on the mobile phone, opening a door or gate and others.

It shall be noted in this respect that bag handle support over the shoulder is not particularly stable, and the handles often slip off the shoulder and down the arm. This is bothering for the user and may be even dangerous in certain circumstances. Suffice it to think of the catastrophic consequences that might result from a handle falling off the shoulder and down the arm while the user is driving a scooter.

In order to avoid these drawbacks, many women prefer the use of small backpacks to be carried on their back by means of special shoulder straps that do not have the disadvantage of sliding off the shoulder.

Nevertheless, while the back is highly functional and safe, and can be stably worn by the user hands-free, it shall be noted, from a strictly aesthetic point of view, a back pack, as finely fashioned as it may be, is strongly disfavored as compared to a bag. This is the reason why backpacks are currently only used in sports and informal circumstances .

In light of the above, there is currently an apparent need for a bag with handles that may be also used as a small backpack as desired, with the user being free to choose from time to time which configuration (handbag or backpack) he/she wants to use, depending on his/her needs and the type of activity he/she has to do. The object of the present invention is to provide a bag structure that can fulfill the above mentioned need without suffering from the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.

This object is fulfilled by a bag structure as defined in claim 1.

The idea behind the present invention is to provide the bag structure of the present invention with appropriate engagement means for removable attachment of handles or a bag-closing hood and shoulder straps to wear the bag as a backpack.

Further features and advantages of the bag structure of the invention will be apparent upon reading of the following description of one preferred exemplary embodiment thereof, which is given by way of illustration and without limitation with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a front plan view of the bag structure of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a rear plan view of the bag structure of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a side plan view of the bag structure of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the bag structure of Figure 1; - Figure 5 shows a front plan view of the bag structure of the invention in the backpack configuration;

- Figure 6 shows a rear plan view of the bag structure of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows a side plan view of the bag structure of Figure 5;

- Figure 8 shows a partially exploded view of Figure 5 ;

- Figure 9 shows a front plan view of the hood of the bag structure of Figure 5;

- Figure 10 shows a plan view of the hood of Figure 9 as viewed from the back;

- Figure 11 shows a side plan view of the hood of Figure 9, with the closing flap in the closed position;

- Figure 12 shows a side plan view of the hood of Figure 9, with the closing flap in the partially lifted position;

- Figure 13 shows a front plan view of the shoulder straps of the bag structure of Figure 5;

- Figure 14 shows a plan view of the shoulder straps of Figure 13 as viewed from the back;

- Figure 15 shows a side view of the shoulder straps of Figure 13; Figure 16 shows a front plan view of the storage body of the bag structure of Figure 1 and

Figure 17 shows a rear plan view of the storage body of the bag structure of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures, numeral 1 generally designates a dual-use bag structure of the present invention .

The bag structure 1 comprises a storage body 2 with handles 9 for holding it, which are removably attached to the storage body 2, such that a user of the bag structure 1 is allowed to attach or remove the handles 9 depending on the particular desired configuration of use of such bag structure (as more clearly explained hereinafter) .

As is known in the art, the storage body 2 comprises sidewalls projecting out of a lower end of the storage body 2, having a bottom 5 located thereat, toward an opposite upper end 2a.

At the upper end 2a, the storage body 2 has a top opening 6 through which a user may access the interior of the storage body.

According to the illustrated embodiment (as shown in Fig. 4), such top opening 6 is closed by two closing flaps 20 connected together by a zip closure. Alternatively, a different closing system and/or different closing means may be provided, such as Velcro, snap fasteners or a fastening string.

Namely, a first sidewall 3 and a second sidewall 4 opposite thereto may be defined in the storage body 2, each of said walls having first engagement means for removable engagement of respective handles 9.

According to the illustrated embodiment, each of the aforementioned sidewalls 3, 4 has a respective handle 9 associated thereto. The aforementioned first engagement means afford removable connection of opposed end portions of each handle 9 to a portion proximate to the upper end 2a of said storage body 2 of its respective sidewall 3, 4.

Advantageously :

- the second sidewall 4 of said storage body 2 comprises second engagement means located proximate to the lower end of said storage body 2 and

- the bag structure 1 further comprises backpack shoulder straps 10, which are adapted to be removably attached to the second sidewall 4 of the storage body 2 by the aforementioned first engagement means and the aforementioned second engagement means, as better explained hereinafter.

Due to the above, the bag structure 1 is susceptible of being used either in a first configuration of use, as a handbag with handles 9 (see Figures 1 to 4) or in a second configuration of use, as a backpack with shoulder straps 10 (see Figures 5 to 8), by allowing the user to remove either the shoulder straps 10 or the handles 9 from the storage body 2, when the bag structure is used in a handbag configuration (see Figures 1 to 4) or in a backpack configuration (see Figures 5 to 8) respectively .

Preferably, the bag structure 1 further comprises a closing cuff 11, which is designed to be fitted onto the upper end 2a of the storage body 2, such closing cuff 11 being adapted to be removably attached to the sidewalls of the storage body 2 by removable engagement means when the bag structure 1 of the invention is to be used in the backpack configuration (see Figures 5 to 8).

The aforementioned closing cuff 11 can be used to close the upper end of the storage body 2, having a top opening 6 located thereat, as is convenient for a backpack. For a backpack user to access the interior of the storage body 2 when the closing cuff 11 is fitted on the upper end 2a, such closing cuff 11 has an opening 12 with a respective closing flap 13 associated thereto. According to the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned opening 21 of the closing cuff 11 is a front opening.

Preferably, removable engagement means may be provided, such as a zipper, Velcro, fastening strings, snap fasteners, magnetic elements and the like, for holding the front opening 12 closed by the flap 13 (see Figure 7) .

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, when the closing cuff 11 is fitted on the upper end 2a of the storage body 2, the aforementioned engagement means allow removable attachment of the closing cuff 11 to the first sidewall 3 and the second sidewall 4.

According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned first engagement means comprise:

- a plurality of first clamping elements 14, preferably screw or snap clamping elements, associated with end portions of the handles 9 or upper portions of the shoulder straps 10 as well as

- first through holes 15 formed at portions of the first sidewall 3 and the second sidewall 4, proximate to the upper end 2a of the storage body 2.

As shown in the figures, the aforementioned portions of the first sidewall 3 and the second sidewall 4 with the through holes 15 formed therein are the portions of the sidewalls of the storage body at which the ends of the handles 9 are intended to be attached.

Each of the aforementioned first clamping elements 14 engages a respective first through hole 15, thereby rigidly joining the end portions of the handles 9 with the first sidewall 3 and the second sidewall 4, or the upper portions of the shoulder straps 10 with the portions of the second sidewall 4 that are proximate to the upper end 2a of the storage body 2.

The second engagement means comprise:

at least one second clamping element 18, preferably a screw or snap clamping element, which is carried by or associated with a lower portion 27 of the shoulder straps 10, as well as

- at least one corresponding second through hole 19 formed in a portion of the second sidewall 4 that is proximate to the lower end of the storage body 2, such that, when the bag structure 1 is in the backpack configuration of use (see Figures 5 to 7), the second clamping element 18 engages the aforementioned second through hole 19 of the sidewall 4, thereby removably rigidly joining together the lower portion 27 of the shoulder straps 10 and the second sidewall 4. Preferably, when the closing cuff 11 is fitted on the upper end 2a of said storage body 2, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the first through holes 15 of the second sidewall 4 and the corresponding first through holes 16 of the closing cuff 11 are engaged by the first clamping means 14.

Preferably, the closing cuff 11 has through holes 16, 17 formed therein such that, when the closing cuff 11 is fitted on the upper end 2a of the storage body 2 as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the first through holes 16 of the closing cuff 11 are located in alignment with the first through holes 15 of the first sidewall 3, whereas the first through holes 17 of the closing cuff 11 are located in alignment with the first through holes 15 of the second sidewall 4.

When the closing cuff 11 is fitted on the upper end 2a of the storage body 2 and the bag structure 1 is in the backpack configuration, with shoulder straps 10:

- the first clamping elements 14 associated with upper portions of the shoulder straps 10 engage the aforementioned first through holes 15 of the second sidewall 4, as well as the corresponding first through holes 17 of the closing cuff 11, whereas

- additional clamping elements 14 engage the first through holes 15 of the first sidewall 3 and the corresponding through holes 16 of the closing cuff 11,

wherefore the closing^' cuff 11 is rigidly joined to the storage body 2.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a kit comprising the bag structure 1 as described above, namely comprising the storage body 2, the handles 9, the shoulder straps 10, the closing cuff 11 and the engagement means.

Conversion of the bag structure 1 from the handbag configuration with handles (see Figures 1 to 4) into the backpack configuration with shoulder straps 10 and with the closing cuff, simply requires an action on the first engagement means, i.e. by loosening and removing the first clamping means 14 to detach the handles 9 from the sidewalls of the storage body 2, and further loosening and removing at least the second clamping means 18 from the second through hole 19 in the second side wall 4 proximate to the lower end of the storage body 2.

Then, the closing cuff 11 will be fitted onto the upper end 2a of the storage body 2, with the through holes 16 and 17 of the closing cuff 11 corresponding to the first through holes 15 of the first sidewall 3 and the second side wall 5 of the storage body 2.

Then:

the first through holes 15 of the first sidewall 3 and the through holes 16 of the closing cuff 11 will be joined together by first clamping means 14,

- the first through holes 15 of the second sidewall 4 and the through holes 17 of the closing cuff 11 will be joined together by the first clamping means 14 associated with the upper portions of the shoulder straps 10 and

- the second clamping element 18 carried by or associated with the lower portion 27 of the shoulder straps 10 will be introduced and clamped into the second through hole 19 formed in the lower portion of the second sidewall 4.

Thus, the bag structure 1 of the invention will be turned into a backpack.

The above procedure in reverse order will convert the bag structure 1 of the invention back to the initial handbag configuration with handles 9.

It shall be noted that, according to the preferred embodiment as shown in the figures, the aforementioned first clamping elements 14 and the second clamping elements 18 comprise clamping bolts composed of a flange head screw and a nut consisting of a threaded flanged boss.

The provision of flanges helps to distribute the clamping forces over wide portions of the handles 9, the sidewalls 3 and 4, the closing cuff 11 and the shoulder straps 10.

Alternative clamping elements may consist of two opposed bosses press-fitted together or other equivalent systems.

Concerning the shoulder straps 10, it shall be noted that they include length-adjustment means 25, e.g. tongue-and-buckle systems as shown in Figure 6.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder straps 10 comprise two opposed longitudinal straps 25, whose length is adjustable by buckles 24, which project out of a lower cross member 27 toward respective free upper ends 26

The free end 26 of each strap 25 is connected to the upper portion of the second sidewall 4 by the clamping elements 14.

The clamping element 18 connects the lower cross member 27 of the shoulder straps 10 to the lower portion of the second sidewall 4.

As clearly shown in the above description, the bag structure of the invention is able to fulfill the aforementioned need, as the user is free to use it either in a handbag configuration with handles, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, or in a backpack configuration with shoulder straps, as shown in Figures 5 to 8.

A further advantage of the bag structure of the invention is its easy convertibility, as well as the firmness of support/attachment of the handles or shoulder straps by/to the storage body of the bag structure, although these parts are mounted in a removable and exchangeable manner.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and adaptations may be made to the bag structure of the invention as described hereinbefore, and that its elements may be replaced by other functionally eguivalent elements, without departure from the scope defined by the following claims.

* * * * * * *

Claims

1. A dual-use bag structure comprising a storage body (2) with handles (9) for holding it, wherein:

said storage body (2) comprises sidewalls projecting out of a lower end of said bag, having a bottom (5) located thereat, toward an opposite upper end (2a) at which a top opening (6) is defined, the latter allowing access to the interior of said storage body (2),

- said sidewalls comprise a first sidewall (3) and a second sidewall (4) opposed thereto, each having respective engagement means for removable engagement of a respective handle (9) of said bag structure ;

said respective first engagement means for removable engagement of a respective handle (9) of said bag structure are located proximate to the upper end (2a) of said storage body (2),

characterized :

in that said second sidewall (4) of said storage body (2) comprises second engagement means proximate to the lower end of said storage body (2) and

- in that it comprises backpack shoulder straps (10) , which are adapted to be removably attached to said second sidewall (4) of said storage body (2) by said first engagement means and said second engagement means of said second sidewall (4),

said bag structure being adapted to be used in a first configuration of use, as a handbag with handles

(9) and in a second configuration of use, as a backpack with shoulder straps (10), due to the possibility of removing either the shoulder straps

(10) or the handles (9) from the storage body (2), when the bag structure is used in a handbag configuration or in a backpack configuration respectively.

2. A dual-use bag structure as claimed in claim 1, comprising a closing cuff (11) which is adapted to be fitted onto the upper end (2a) of said storage body (2), said closing cuff (1) being adapted to be removably attached to the sidewalls of said storage body (2) by removable engagement means.

3. A dual-use bag structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said closing cuff (11) comprises an opening

(12) which has a respective closing flap (13) associated therewith, said opening (12) providing access to the interior of said storage body (2) when said closing cuff (11) is fitted on the upper end (2a) of said storage body (2) .

4. A dual-use bag structure as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein, when said closing cuff (11) is fitted on the upper end (2a) of said storage body (2), said first engagement means removably attach said closing cuff (11) to said first sidewall (3) and said second sidewall (4) .

5. A dual-use bag structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first engagement means comprise :

- a plurality of first clamping elements (14), preferably screw or snap clamping elements, associated with end portions of said handles (9) or upper portions of said shoulder straps (10) and

- first through holes (15) formed in portions of said first sidewall (3) and said second sidewall (4), proximate to the upper end (2a) of said storage body (2) ,

each of said first clamping elements (14) engaging a respective first through hole (15), thereby rigidly joining:

rigidly joining said end portions of said handles (9) to said first sidewall (3) and to said second sidewall (4) or

- rigidly joining said upper portions of said shoulder straps (10) to said second sidewall (4) .

6. A dual-use bag structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second engagement means comprise:

- at least one second clamping element (18), preferably a screw or snap clamping element, which is carried by a lower portion of said shoulder straps (10) and

- at least one corresponding second through hole (19) formed in a portion of said second sidewall (4) that is proximate to the lower end of said storage body (2),

- said second clamping element (18) engaging said at least one second through hole (19) of said second sidewall (4), thereby rigidly joining said lower portion of said shoulder straps (10) and said second sidewall (4) together.

7. A dual-use bag structure as claimed in claim 5 or 6, as dependent on any of claims 2 to 4, wherein, when said closing cuff (11) is fitted on the upper end (2a) of said storage body (2) :

- said first clamping elements (14), associated with upper portions of said shoulder straps (10), engage said first through holes (15) of said second sidewall (4) and corresponding first through holes (16) of said closing cuff (11) located close to said first through holes (15) of said second sidewall (4) and

- additional first clamping elements engage said first through holes (15) of said second sidewall (3) and second through holes of said closing cuff (11) located close to said first through holes (15) of said first sidewall (3) ,

whereby the closing cuff (11) is rigidly attached to said storage body (2) .

8. A kit comprising a bag structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, which includes the storage body (2), the handles (9), the shoulder straps (10), the closing cuff (11) and the engagement means (7, 8, 14, 18) .